|
|
|
-
Big-Name Stars in Attractions: Enhancement? or Distraction?
As I was listening to the audio of the ride Mission: Space the other day, I paid attention to Gary Sinise's role. Then I started to think: do recognizable stars actually become a distraction in a ride? I'll explain.
When you ride a Disney ride or attraction, you are "immersed" into the story the Imagineers have set forward. You are inside a Dino Institute. Or you are about the scale the real Mt. Everest. So when you enter the Mission: Space attraction, you are about to embark on a mission to Mars. However, as soon as I heard Gary Sinise (one of my favorite actors, by the way) say "I'll be your Capcom today," the illusion was ruined. I know Gary Sinise is NOT a NASA Capcom. The same with the Dinosaur ride. I know that Phylicia Rashad is NOT Dr. Marsh. The illusion is ruined. I am evicted from the Dino Institute and returned to reality.
On the other hand, Ellen DeGeneres plays herself in Ellen's Energy Adventure, so I think she's an enhancement for that attraction. The same with Rick Moranis and Eric Idle in Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. In that attraction, they play established film characters, so the illusion is maintained.
So, in general, I think big-name stars can be a nice addition to a ride. But when I'm looking for total immersion, I think they pull us out of the illusion. What do you think?
WDW - 99 Off Site
WDW - 00 C.Springs, Wilderness
WDW - 01 POFQ, Boardwalk
WDW - 02 C.Beach, POFQ, AK Lodge
WDW - 04 Riverside
WDW - 05 C.Springs
WDW - 07 Riverside
WDW - 11 C.Beach
WDW - 12 POFQ
WDW - 14 Riverside
WDW - 15 POFQ
WDW - 19 Wilderness
WDW - 20 C.Beach
-
Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
-
I love Patrick Warburton (Puddy from Seinfeld) in Soarin. He is perfect as the in the pre-show role.
I think it adds something to the attraction personally.
POR 3/2006
GF 12/2010
CSR 3/2011
DLH 6/2012, 6/2013
POFQ 3/2007, 4/2008, 12/2008, 3/2010, 10/2011, 4/2013, 3/2015, 5/2017
BC 3/2014
AKL 9/2015, 5/2018
BW 9/2017
-
I don't think it really distracts me from the story of the attraction at all. It's no different then the same starts playing roles in different movies. If it's well done it's fine with me. Gary Sinise fits into the role at Mission Space very well since he was involved in the film Mission to Mars.
Jeff (aka JPL)
Former VMK alias figgiefig
Intercot Staff
Disney Tech - Software, Games & Web
The Locker Room
Disney Vacation Club
[email protected]
"Remember it all started with a Mouse"
-
77-DL
89-DL
94-ASSp
95-OKW
98-WDW Hol.Inn MG
99-WDW Off Prop
06-ASMov
07-Pop 2/4 - 2/14
07-ASMus 9/11 - 9/17
08-ASMov & DCL 10/27 - 11/2
09-ASMov & DCL Wonder 9/21 - 10/1
10-WDW Off Prop 4/23 - 4/25
10-DCL Magic 7 nt EB 10/23
10-CSR 10/30 - 11/1
12-POR 1/8 - 1/15
12-CSR 12/20-27
-
Not including Ellen, I prefer an unknown cast in all attractions. Does help keep the illusion.
-
The guy that plays Seeker in Dinosaur fits in well. He plays a scientist/lab guy on CSI, so its easy to see him as a dino institute guy. I agree that Gary Sinise is ok as the Mission Space charecter, and Ellen is hilarious!!! I can't really think of any that detract from the experience. Phylicia Rishad, maybe.
1990-Polynesian, 1998-All-Star Music, 2002-Off Property , 2003-All Star Music, 2007- Pop Century (twice) , 2008-Old Key West, 2008-Off Property, 2009-POFQ,2010-off property, 2011 - POFQ
Next Up . . . . November 23-30, 2013- Off Property at the Star Island Resort.
-
Funny, because Ellen's presence is the one I find distracting and the rest don't bother me at all. I remember the pre-Ellen Universe of Energy, and I enjoyed that version so much more. I like Ellen, just not as part of the ride. The others are in intros that keep you patient while you wait to ride and provide some amusement and set-up while you wait. I always think it's very cool that recognized actors take on those roles.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
-
I'm not really distracted by any of them, but consider them all to be enhancements to the ride experience.
EJ in Houston
3-16 -- Port Orleans Riverside
11-12 -- Pop Century
11-11 -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
11-09 -- All-Star Sports
11-07 -- All-Star Sports
11-05 -- All-Star Sports
09-95 -- Off Property
3 prior visits as a child beginning in '72 -- Polynesian/Contemporary Resorts
-
Originally Posted by JPL
I don't think it really distracts me from the story of the attraction at all. It's no different then the same starts playing roles in different movies.
This. I can suspend my disbelief in the theater to watch Johnny Depp be a pirate, I can suspend my disbelief at Disney to take instructions from various stars within the theme of the ride.
1994- Offsite
1995- ASMusic
1999- Contemporary
2000- ASMovies
2005- Pop Century
2006- POR & AKL
2010- Pop Century
Dec 2011- Coronado Springs
-
As long as the actor does a good job at acting the part and it fits that character, it is not a distraction. I cannot think of one example of a distraction for me.
BKJ
Wilderness Lodge May '13
FW Campsite Jan '13
FW Cabins May '11
FW Campsite Dec '10
Offsite Nov '10
FW Cabins May '10
FW Cabins Dec '09
FW Cabins May '09
FW Campsite Dec '08
FW Cabins May '07
Swan Dec '06
FW Cabins May '06
Offsite June '99
FW Campsite Aug '79
Contemporary '76
-
Hmmm....
For the unavoidable parts of the show (e.g. safety instructions) using Gary Sinise or Patrick Warburton is, as others have pointed out, sheer genius. Similarly, ~narration~ works well-- witness Irons or Cronkite in Spaceship Earth.
Otherwise, I do think obscure actors might be better choices. Disney goes so far to create the illusion that we are in a fantasy world, that reality is being suspended-- why compromise that with familiar faces? So, on these grounds, I have reservations with the Robin Williams, Rick Moranis, Drew Carey....each of these attractions tended to use celebrities to prop up what would have otherwise been a weak attraction. (Sounds Dangerous was tortuous as it was...but could you imagine it without Carey to provide comic relief? yikes...)
"One wrong move, and I could easily be squashed into a tangy pesto sauce."
1988, 1990, 2008- Contemporary
1993, 1999, 2005- Beach Club
1996- Polynesian
2009- Pop Century
-
Originally Posted by PopeCharming
So, on these grounds, I have reservations with the Robin Williams, Rick Moranis, Drew Carey....each of these attractions tended to use celebrities to prop up what would have otherwise been a weak attraction. (Sounds Dangerous was tortuous as it was...but could you imagine it without Carey to provide comic relief? yikes...)
I only attend this attraction because I like Drew Carey.
WDW - 99 Off Site
WDW - 00 C.Springs, Wilderness
WDW - 01 POFQ, Boardwalk
WDW - 02 C.Beach, POFQ, AK Lodge
WDW - 04 Riverside
WDW - 05 C.Springs
WDW - 07 Riverside
WDW - 11 C.Beach
WDW - 12 POFQ
WDW - 14 Riverside
WDW - 15 POFQ
WDW - 19 Wilderness
WDW - 20 C.Beach
-
i have to say that it really doesn't bother me at all...
Have A Magical Day-1970-1989-offsite, 2002-DLR, 2003-DLR, 2005-Sports, 2007-All Music, 2008-POP, December 12-21 2009-Pop, January 16-18, 2010-Disneyland. Disney Sports-Feb 1-6, 2012, Disneyland-December 7 and 8, 2012, DIsney Pop-Feb 1-5, 2013 (my son's first trip.)
-
For the most part, it doesn't bother me, but I agree about Ellen. Sure, I think she's funny, but that attraction seems to have become all about Ellen, and I feel she distracts from the original point.
Viva Darth Macho!
APR '98: Wilderness Lodge, 9 days, Honeymoon
OCT '99: Coronado Springs, 8 days, Halloween
AUG '03: All Star Music, 8 days, Summer Fun
AUG '10: Port Orleans Riverside, 10 days, Summer Celebration!
AUG '12: Pop Century, 14 days, My Dream Trip!
AUG '17: Hoping!
-
I'm not a fan of Ellen.
Gary Sinise did play the part of Ken Mattingly in Apollo 13 so his appearance as CapCom is of no surprise.
Personally I hate the addition of Capt Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in PotC.
Soarin' to Tower
Next Trips: 2017 The other half has allowed me back!
Offsite 1998, 2004, 2015 (Universal)
AKL 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013
Beach Club 2008
Yacht Club 2010, 2011, 2012
DLR California 2004, 2014
DLR Paris 2006, 2008, 2010
DLR HK 2013
Share This Thread On Social Media:
Share This Thread On Social Media:
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|
|
Share This Thread On Social Media: